Community Support sought for Gayle Granger Jackson

Founder's Day is something that former White Hall resident Ricky Simmons and his family have never missed. Unfortunately, this year will be the first Founder's Day that he will not be able to attend. This is because Simmons will be spending it in the hospital with his mother, Elizabeth Gayle Granger Jackson, formerly of White Hall.

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The Sun-Times - Heber Springs, AR

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Posted Aug. 23, 2013 at 12:06 PM

Posted Aug. 23, 2013 at 12:06 PM

On the night of Monday, June 24, his mother, who is 32 years old, collapsed while exercising at the gym. After being and was rushed to TriStar Medical Center in Hermitage, Tenn. where she was later diagnosed as having multiple ischemic strokes near the brain stem. The doctors believe this was due to a heart defect that she probably had since birth that had gone undetected. The full extent of the damage from the strokes remains unknown at this time as Gayle's brain is still healing.

Currently, she is bedridden and exhibits no movement on the right side of her body, no ambulation, or speech. "Gayle was recently moved into a rehabilitation facility where she is set to begin intensive therapy soon," said family member Brittany Brown. "She has made slow but steady improvements since June and we are told that it will be baby steps on a long road to recovery and we are all ready for that journey," Brown added.

According to Brown, one of Jackson's physicians informed them that most people do not survive an attack of this degree. "But this is just another example of how she is demonstrating each day what those close to her already know – that she is tough and she is a fighter. She has a lot to fight for," said Brown.

In the spirit of community, friends and family of Jackson are coming together on Founder's Day to organize a booth at the City Park in an effort to help with the growing medical expenses. According to Brown, there will be several different ways to donate for chances win various gifts and offers from local vendors that have donated including Smart Auto Care, Funcessories, China Garden, Maxey's Barber, Wizard's, Terry Ace Hardware, Woodland Pharmacy, Natural Bliss, Jones Feed, Lybrand's Too, Star Nails, El Parian, White Hall location of Cranford's Fresh World, Redfield Pharmacy, Lindsey Hayes with Texture Salon, Lindsey Daniel and Brittani Hunter with the Hair Botique, Wings 2 Go, and Paige Tubb with For Your Style Salon.

"Pie throwing at some members of the White Hall High School Athletic Department will also be fun ways to contribute to the medical expense fund," added Brown.

More about Granger-Jackson

After graduating 1998 from White Hall High School, she was employed as a dental assistant for Dr. Toole and Dr. Massey Dentistry. Approximately two and a half years ago she moved to Nashville, Tenn., with her two sons and sons Ricky and Brody in hopes that her husband Corey would make it big in the country music industry.

"Gayle loved this community and always gave back. Now it is our turn to do the same for her in her time of need," said Brown.